EGYPT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13290, 20 May 1907, Page 7

EGYPT.

LORD CROMEIVS SUCCESSOR.

Tress Associalion-By Telegraph-Copyright

CAIRO, May 17. The Khedive cordially welcomed Sir E'don Gorst, Lord Cromer's successor.

A CRITICAL PHASE

Lord Cromer has made an important declaration as to the direction in which future reforms in Egypt should proceed. He points out the "dangers arising from the present .so-called • National movement in Egypt, with its attendant risks of fanatical religious outbursts, and suggests •in antidote in the creation of a Local International Legislative Council, which would, he thinks, create a community of interests among the heterogenous population which inhabits the valley of the Nile,

It is difficult, says Lord Cromer, even for those with an .extensive knowledge of Egyptian affairs to differentiate the various* currents which are moving in the direction of the "novel idea" of Egyptian Nationalism, and even now the idea is a plant of exotic growth. Whilst it would be altogether incorrect to say that tha Egyptian National Movement is 'wholly Pan-Islamic, it is certain that it is deeply tinged with Pan Islamism, which is 'generally held to mean a Moslem world combination to defy and resist the Christian Powers. Viewed in this aspect the movement requires to be carefully watched. • •

Side by side with Pan Islamism, 'however, there exists another movement which :nay possibly be-entitled to the term national*, which Lord Cromer proceeds to discuss independently. After stating that it has been urged upon him again and again that the party merely consists of afew noisy individuals, which he believes is substantially correct, he continues:" I am not aware that the Egyptian National party has ever formulated its programme in 'any very precise terms, but, so. far as I am able to judge, they advocate the creation in Egypt of an institution similar to tha British House of Commons. Neither am I quite clear as to whether it is proposed that 'the Egyptian Parliament should legislate, without distinction, for all the inhabitants of Egypt, or only for local purposes." What is proposed is, he believes, the creation of a Ministry responsible to the Chamber, and second!}-, the complete control over the finances of the country-

" The adoption of the first of these proposals," says Lord Cromer, "would, unless I am much mistaken, produce a ttale of things which may. without exaggeration, be termed chaotic. Intrigue of all sorts would be rife.' The system of bribary and corruption which was at one- time-so prevalent in the country, and which is even r.cw only-dying a lingering death, would receive a fresh impulse. It is more than probable that, under the specious title of free institutions, the worst evils of personal government would reappear. The adoption of the second proposal—that of handing over complete financial control to the Chamber—would almost inevitably lead to national bankruptcy. "Is "there then no hone for Egyptian Nationalism ?"lie asks. He then proceeds to answer the question and give his solution of the prioblem in the folio-wing eloquent passages:-—"ln the form which that idea is conceived by the--Egypt-ian National party there is, I am convinced, little or none. But it is well for a nation, and even for practical politicians, to entertain an ideal, even although its realisation may be distant and beset with many difficulties."

'■ I venture, therefore, as a counterprogramme to that of the Egyptian National party, to put forward an ideal which I have for long entertained. It i". that the only possible Egyptian nationality which can ever be created must consist of all the dwellers in Egypt, irrespective of race, religion, or extraction. I maintain that this measure will tend more than any other- to create a community of interert amongst the heterogeneous population: which inhabits the valley of the Nile, and that it will be a first step towards the format-ion of an Egyptian national spirit in the only sense in which that spirit can bo- evoked without detriment to the true interests of the country."